Best time to travel to Florida

Blacktip and Spinner Sharks in Florida

Tens of thousands of black shark fins just a few meters from the beach can scare the hell out of anyone

Best time: mid-January–early March

Blacktip and Spinner Sharks
Blacktip and Spinner Sharks

Everyone should be alert while visiting Florida's Atlantic seaside between mid-January and early March. At this time the waters of Florida's most popular beaches literally teem with blacktip sharks, which migrate in search of warm water and food. In some years, up to 15,000 blacktip and spinner sharks have been spotted in South Florida during the annual migration.

You can't be sure they won't attack since attacks have occurred in the past. Besides, they come really close to the shores, hiding in the shallow waters from larger predators hunting for the blacktips, in particular hammerhead sharks. Blacktips' attempt to avoid larger sharks are not always successful, and the latter occasionally follow their prey well into the coastline waters, which makes it even more dangerous for holidaymakers.

Therefore, such popular places as Palm Beach, Miami Beach, Singler Island, and Jupiter Inlet are not suitable for a swimming weekend, yet at the same time perfect for an exclusive wildlife watching experience.

Practical info

When can blacktip and spinner sharks be seen in Florida and why?

The blacktip and spinner sharks can generally be seen in Florida from mid-January to early March, which is their annual migration period. During this time, sharks migrate to warmer Florida waters, with a large number of sharks arriving in the Atlantic Ocean near the coast for feeding purposes. Show more

Where can people watch black shark migration in Florida?

Some of the most popular locations for watching the annual black shark migration in Florida include Jupiter Inlet, Palm Beach, Miami Beach, and Singler Island. However, although visitors can view the sharks from the shore during their migration period, visitors are discouraged from swimming due to the risk of shark attacks and the presence of larger predators in the area. Show more

How safe is it for tourists to view blacktip and spinner sharks during migration and what safety measures should they take?

While blacktip and spinner sharks do not generally pose any threat to humans, the large number of sharks present in the water during their migration period increases the risk of shark attacks. Therefore, visitors are advised to avoid swimming in areas where larger predators, such as hammerhead sharks, thrive and to be vigilant. It is recommended to watch the exclusive wildlife from the shore and not to disturb the natural habitat of the animals in any way. Show more

Aside from blacktip and spinner sharks, what other marine animals can be observed during their annual migration?

During the period of blacktip and spinner shark migration, visitors can also observe other types of marine animals, such as sea turtles and dolphins, along the Florida coastline. Larger predators that prey on blacktip and spinner sharks, such as hammerhead sharks, can also be seen following the migration of the smaller sharks. Show more

What other tourist spots are there in Florida, apart from Palm Beach and Miami Beach, during the blacktip and spinner sharks migration period?

Apart from Miami Beach and Palm Beach, Jupiter Inlet and Singler Island are also famous areas to visit during the migration period of blacktip and spinner sharks in Florida. While visitors can watch the stunning wildlife from the shore, it is not recommended to swim due to the presence of larger predators in the water and the risk of shark attacks. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin